When Should I File A Patent Application To Protect My Idea?

Q) I've developed a man made textile during my university course that has a number of innovative features that make it both hard wearing and light weight. I would like to look into manufacturing it or selling the idea to an established outdoor clothing company, but the textile is not currently protected from being copied so should I be arranging some sort of intellectual property protection for it first or is that done at a later date? If now, what form should this take, a patent?

A) Yes, since your idea relates to how the textile functions, not its appearance, the appropriate form of protection would indeed be a patent.

We are often asked when a patent application should be filed and there are a number of factors to consider.